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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/25/1990f ' PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 26379 FREMONT ROAD LOS ALTOS HILLS, CALIFORNIA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25TH, 1990 Approved cc: Cassettes #8-90(l),8-90(2) 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Vice Chairman Jones and Commissioners Carico, Comiso, Noel, Pahl, Stutz Chairman Emling arrived and assumed his position as Chair at 8:30 p.m. Absent: None L Staff: Bill Ekern, Director of Public Works; Ann Jamison, Planning Director. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR 2.1 Approval of the Minutes of March 28th and April 11th, 1990 Commissioner Stutz removed the Minutes of April 11th, 1990 to clarify under Item 7.2 LANDS OF GHAFOURI that the Minutes misrepresent what Chairman Emling said about cleaning the easement, as no property owners are allowed to clear conservation easements. Also under this item, Commissioner Stutz wished to remove the last line of Mr. Ghafouri's statement regarding replacing the brush with non cumbustible vegetation, as there is no such thing as non-combustible vegetation. Commissioner Pahl wished to clarify under item 6.1, the last paragraph, that Staff was not making any recommendations and wished to replace the term 'recommendations' with, "proposed findings for the Commission to consider." Under Item 7.1 LANDS OF QUARRY HILLS, Commissioner Pahl wished to include in the second paragraph, the second line, "A full discussion without the applicant's input would not be possible." 40 Ann Jamison noted the Minutes of March 28th, 1990 were inadvertently left out of the Planning Commission packet, and apologized for the oversight. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 25th, 1990 d Page 2 Approved PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Passed by consensus to continue this item to the Planning Commission meeting of May 9th, 1990 3. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 18TH, 1990 Commissioner Noel reported that Sun Country Cable projected there would be service in some parts of the Town by the end of May, and throughout the Town by October, 1990. He noted the Council discussed the proposed Oak Tree and Heritage Tree Ordinance. He also noted there was a two hour discussion of the budget. Commissioner Noel reported that the City Attorney is scheduled to be in attendance at the Planning Commission meeting of May 9th, 1990, and any questions for her consideration should be submitted before that meeting. Commissioner Noel also reported that Councilmember Siegel had some comments relative to Planning Commission Site Development Committee meetings. If commissioners are going to attend the meeting, they should attend the entire meeting, or let Staff know they intend to be absent. Commissioner Noel noted that the City Council adjourned to the Joint City Council Planning Commission Meeting on April 30th, 1990 at 5:30 p.m. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Motion by Vice Chairman Jones, passed by consensus to agendize under 8.0 a discussion of Planning Commission Site Development Committee meetings: Who should be there. 4. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 24TH, 1990 April 24th, 1990: Ann Jamison reported that one application was reviewed and approved: Wilkinson - Landscaping, Fencing, Driveway, Wall, Repaving. There was much discussion on this application. A proposed wall entailed grading within 10' of the property line and was not approved. Bill Ekern spoke with Mr. Wilkinson further about a wall after visiting the site, and Mr. Wilkinson indicated he would instead build a fence in that area. Also, the pool equipment presently located in the setback was conditioned to be moved. At Commissioner Comiso's request, Ms. Jamison explained that Mr. Wilkinson is having a problem with people throwing litter on his property, and thought that grading a flat space and constructing a retaining wall would prevent this. She noted the wall had nothing to do with structures. 5. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Commissioner Carico reported that the Rebuilding and Building -Out Committee Commissioner Pahl and she were appointed to with Councilmember van Tamelen and Mayor Casey was put on hold until after the upcoming election at the request of Commissioner Pahl and Mayor Casey. Ann Jamison noted that Council had moved PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 25th, 1990 Page 3 Approved to put the rebuilding and building -out issues on the agenda for the Joint Meeting scheduled for April 30th, 1990. Commissioner Carico also presented information on how preservation of the environment is being addressed in Woodside. She reported she had spoken to Mrs. Maklofsky of the Woodside Planning Commission, and Vaughn Moyer. Woodside has downzoned to 10 acre minimum on hillsides, will allow no houses over 6,000 square feet, have discontinued variances for additional floor area, have adopted the Town of Los Altos Hill's MFA formula, initiated a request for additional floor area for lots with 1.5 times the required acreage. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6.1 Consideration of proposed Code amendments to allow trailer coaches as temporary residences during construction of a primary dwelling unit. Ann Jamison introduced this item, referring to the Staff Report noting that at the direction of the City Council, Staff is addressing the use of trailer coaches as temporary residences during construction of a primary dwelling unit. Commissioner Carico questioned provisions for security persons living in trailers. She noted a problem in the past with a trailer in her neighborhood and neighborhood unhappiness over parties held by individuals living in the trailers while the owners were not there, and questioned whether it is possible to limit the number of people in the trailer at a time. Commissioner Pahl noted he thought it was illegal to restrict housing in that way. Commissioner Stutz questioned how many requests there had been for trailers. Ann Jamison responded that to her knowledge, there had been one. The Public Hearing was opened. Dot Schreiner, 14301 Saddle Mountain Drive, referred to trailers brought in by neighboring property owners during construction, which were occupied by employees of contractors, and outline her concerns including the lack of provisions for garbage pick up, outdoor living when the summer sun made the trailer too hot, dogs running loose frightened children, people walking being yelled at when going past the trailer. She also noted her objection to the suggestion that there be no public noticing 4W The Public Hewing was closed PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Approved April 25th, 1990 Page 4 At Commissioner Noel's request, Ann Jamison explained that last August, Council had a request before them for a temporary trailer and in response directed Staff to prepare an ordinance amendment that would address creating an easier process to accomodate these requests. Commissioner Noel questioned why a code amendment was being considered for one or two requests in the past few years. Commissioner Pahl noted there may be people who wished to utilize the process, but are told trailers are not an allowable use. Commissioner Comiso noted that when her home was being remodeled, to keep her children in the school district her family had to live in one room of the house. Commissioner Pahl noted he wished to remodel his home and as he works from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. there will be no time to come to the property unless he's living on the property. He felt there was a real need for allowing trailers during construction. He suggested that people living on the property not be allowed to pay to owners or receive from owners any cash compensation. Ann Jamison questioned whether this could be enforced. Commissioner Pahl also suggested there should be a strict time limit for how long the trailer can remain on the property. He also felt allowing mobile homes with a size restriction deserved consideration, and that Staff should be given latitude in determining the appropriate location on site to ensure that the trailers are appropriately buffered. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Comiso to recommend certification of the mitigated negative environmental declaration. AYES: Vice Chairman Jones and Commissioners Carico, Comiso, Noel, Pahl NOES: Commissioner Stutz ABSENT: Chairman Emling MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Comiso to recommend adoption of the code amendments with the following conceptual wording suggested by Staff to amend the Zoning Code: Trailer coach - "trailer coach" shall mean a motor vehicle or trailer, specifically designed and equipped for human habitation including water and wastewater facilities, which is not designed or intended to be placed on a permanent foundation, but is designed to be driven 4L under its own power or towed by a motor vehicle from location to location in W accordance with the state vehicle code, and with the following conceptual wording to modify Section 10-1.702: Trailer coach during construction of a primary dwelling. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Approved April 25th, 1990 4 Page 5 One trailer coach specifically designed and constructed for human habitation may be placed on a lot in accordance with the setback requirements of this chapter, or within a setback if approved by Staff, and occupied by the owner of the lot and members of the owner's family as a temporary residence during construction or remodeling of the primary residence on the lot. The trailer coach shall be removed prior to Building Permit final; and that Staff in consultation with the City Attorney determine language to alleviate the eventuality of paid constructions workers, employees, security guards living in the unit; and with the following conceptual wording to modify Section 10-1.310: (d) Trailer coaches intended to be used as temporary residences during construction or remodeling of a primary dwelling unit; and that a specific time limit be given upon granting of a zoning permit for installation of the trailer on the property as to the duration that these coaches remain on the property. AYES: Vice Chairman Jones and Commissioners Comiso, Pahl NOES: Commissioner Carico, Noel, Stutz ABSENT: Chairman Emling Commissioner Noel noted that the code amendment was putting more work on Staff when people currently have trailers on their property, and there have been no complaints and only one or two requests for trailers in the last few years. Commissioner Carico wished to qualify her vote, noting the trailers do create a nuisance, and she didn't think the Town had the ability to control them. 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.1 Discussion of possible Recycling Sites. Bill Ekern introduced this item, noting the considerations Staff used in determining the six sites proposed to the Commission being Town owned property, with reasonable existing access, that could be buffered from surrounding properties, and an attempt was made to find sites that would not require an EIR to establish the facility on the site. Commissioner Pahl suggested the possibility of a cooperative venture with Foothill College. He also suggested a site at the back of Dawson Drive, fronting the freeway. Bill Ekern noted he had considered this site, but did not include it in the Staff Report as they are vacant lands privately owned, non-acccessible at this time, and there was concern with mitigation along the freeway. Commissioner Stutz suggested Rhus Ridge at Moody Road as a lot that is mitigable, with trees and perhaps a wooden fence. She noted the Fire District lot at Arastradero and Purissima was another good site. Commissioner Stutz also noted PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Approved April 25th, 1990 L Page 6 that Foothill College had been contacted regarding a recycling program six or eight years ago and indicated there were not interested. Bill Ekern noted Foothill College is experiencing problems with space, but that he could easily contact them to open negotiations. He also noted he had discarded the Rhus Ridge site from consideration as it is a private road and traffic is currently problematic on Moody Road, there is an Oak tree in the middle of the property, it is in a 100 year flood zone, and because he is interested in using the site for a future Oak tree farm. The Commission discussed possibilities for locating one site east and one site west of I-280, size considerations, hours of operation, ensuring that only yard wastes from the Town are brought to the sites, access, impact on neighbors, etc., relative to the different sites. Bill Ekern noted that the Town is committed as part of a recycling program to yard waste recycling. Yard waste comprises 25 - 50% of the tonnage of waste that goes to landfill, and anything that can be done to lessen that amount will lessen disposal costs. Each commissioner indicated sites they considered should be investigated. Bill Ekem tallied the choices: Five votes for Westwind Barn, four for Foothill College, and two votes for each - Town Hall, O'Keefe Lane, Purissima Road, Los Altos Fire Protection District Property, 7.2 Clarification of worksheet submittal requirements for Site Development projects Ann Jamison introduced this item, a request from a resident interested in making an addition to his property. She clarified that the calculations are necessary for new residences, additions. The property in question is over on square footage permitted for MDA, but not up to the MFA. The property owner wishes to exchange development area for floor area, and has asked why it is necessary to complete the MDA and MFA calculations. Staff has indicated that it will be necessary for them to do the calculations, and Ms. Jamison outlined why: 1) The burden is on the applicant to demonstrate the numbers and the Town checks them; it would take twice the amount of Staff time to calculate them and check them; and the applicant knows they're in compliance. 2) In the event of a fire, earthquake, etc., the numbers will be on file; the Town is currently developing a database of this information. 3) The data will be in the Town files in the event of re -sale of the property. 4) It allows for studies on development area existing in Town, for example, development area existing in Town and drainage into the Bay will very likely need to be quantified in the near future. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Emling, seconded by Carico to recommend requiring calculations on applications for trading development area for floor area as well as new residences and additions. 4W AYES: Chairman Emling and Commissioners Carico, Comiso, Jones, Noel, Pahl, Stutz PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Approved April 25th, 1990 Page 7 NOES: None 8. OLD BUSINESS 8.0 Discussion of Planning Commission Site Development Committee Meetings: Who should be there. Commissioner Noel reported that at the last City Council meeting Councilmember Siegel noted he had attended the Planning Commission Site Development meeting of April 11, 1990. Councilmember Siegel noted it was his understanding that all the commissioners were to be at these Site Development meetings. It seemed to him people come in and go out, but that there should be consistency of people. He was also concerned that the meeting went past 7:30 p.m. Commissioner Noel had explained that meeting was unusual, with the fewest number of commissioners in attendance of any of the Site Development meetings. Ann Jamison noted that Councilmember Siegel had indicated he thought the modification in Site Development was made to help create consensus about the requirements placed on applications, and questioned whether there was any difference from the old Site Development if only one or two commissioners were 4 present. Commissioner Pahl clarified that he had left one item of discussion as he had been prevented from viewing the site by a locked gate. He noted it was not mandatory everyone attend the Site Development meetings, but the intent was for more consistency. Ms. Jamison noted that at the last Planning Commission meeting, she asked that any commissioners who knew they would be unable to attend Planning Commission Site Development call and let her know. Chairman Emling noted he had spoken with Ann Jamison about setting time limits for consideration of individual applications. Ms. Jamison noted she would try to keep the discussion of each application directed, as well as limit the number of applications reviewed at each Site Development meeting. Commissioner Carico noted that if all the commissioners were not going to attend the Site Development meetings, returning to Tuesday Site Development deserved consideration. L8.1 Planning Commission Work Program. Ann Jamison introduced this item, refering to the Staff Report and noting the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Approved April 25th, 1990 CW Page 8 program includes items the Commission had indicated they wished to address. The Commission discussed prioritization of addressing the issues. Commissioner Pahl felt that fences, house color, and the General Plan update need to be addressed Commissioner Noel noted that in view of possible action from the State, the general plan update should be addressed first. Commissioner Comiso felt that identification of sensitive sites was important, and Chairman Emling questioned possibilities for utilizing insights presented by Freedman, Tung & Bottomly as part of the Town Planning Study in November, 1989. Commissioner Carico questioned whether the Town's fiscal status would allow for budgeting Freedman's fees. Commissioner Stutz noted that some of the basic work should be done on the General Plan before it is even brought before the Planning Commission. 8.2 Discussion of the Adoption of Robert's Rules of Order. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Comiso and 4 passed to adopt the resolution as proposed by Staff. Nancy Coparis, referred to the Commission's discussion of recycling sites and the possibility of Westwind Barn's use as a recycling site. She noted concerns for how the facilities will be positioned relative to the use of Westwind Barn by handicapped riders and by children of riders. 9. ADIOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Laura Johnson Planning Secretary 09